Retrograde drilling device

ABSTRACT

A drill assembly for creating a reverse counterbore bone tunnel while increasing bone preservation. The drill assembly including a housing having an actuation mechanism and a cannulated shaft connected to the actuation mechanism. The drill assembly also includes a rigid rod extending through the cannulated shaft. Engaging the actuation mechanism moves the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod. The drill assembly additionally includes a distal tip connected to the cannulated shaft and the rigid rod. Proximal movement of the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod causes the distal tip to rotate from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the second configuration, the distal tip extends at an angle relative to the cannulated shaft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/694,059, filed on Jul. 5, 2018 and entitled “RetrogradeDrilling Device” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/842,700, filed on May 3, 2019 and entitled “Retrograde DrillingDevice,” the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed generally to a surgical system and,more particularly, to a drill assembly for creating a reversecounterbore bone tunnel while increasing bone preservation.

2. Description of Related Art

Drilling devices are used to generate retrograde bone tunnels fororthopedic surgical procedures. Specifically, there are orthopedicprocedures requiring reshaping or resecting bones in order to createsockets and tunnels in preparation for ligament reconstruction. Forexample, a bone tunnel is required for a knee ligament reconstructionprocedure. Conventional methods for creating the bone tunnel includeusing a rotary cutting instrument to drill the tunnel. Drilling the bonetunnel results in removal of a significant amount of bone material fromthe patient. The loss of bone material is additional trauma to thepatient. Additional trauma increases the length of the surgicalprocedure, the pain felt by the patient, and the time required forrecovery.

Therefore, there is a need for a device for creating a reversecounterbore bone tunnel while increasing bone preservation.

Description of the Related Art Section Disclaimer: To the extent thatspecific patents/publications/products are discussed above in thisDescription of the Related Art Section or elsewhere in this disclosure,these discussions should not be taken as an admission that the discussedpatents/publications/products are prior art for patent law purposes. Forexample, some or all of the discussed patents/publications/products maynot be sufficiently early in time, may not reflect subject matterdeveloped early enough in time and/or may not be sufficiently enablingso as to amount to prior art for patent law purposes. To the extent thatspecific patents/publications/products are discussed above in thisDescription of the Related Art Section and/or throughout theapplication, the descriptions/disclosures of which are all herebyincorporated by reference into this document in their respectiveentirety(ies).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a drill assemblyfor creating a reverse counterbore bone tunnel while increasing bonepreservation. According to one aspect, the present invention is a drillassembly including a housing having an actuation mechanism and acannulated shaft connected to the actuation mechanism. The drillassembly also includes a rigid rod extending through the cannulatedshaft. Engaging the actuation mechanism moves the cannulated shaft alongthe rigid rod. The drill assembly additionally includes a distal tipconnected to the cannulated shaft and the rigid rod. Proximal movementof the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod causes the distal tip torotate.

According to another aspect, the drill assembly includes a housinghaving a cap, a body, and a cannulated shaft connected to the cap. Thedrill assembly also includes a rigid rod extending through thecannulated shaft and the cap. The rigid rod is connected to the body ofthe housing such that the cannulated shaft is slidable along the rigidrod. Proximal movement of the cap causes proximal movement of thecannulated shaft along the rigid rod. The drill assembly additionallyincludes a distal tip connected to the cannulated shaft and the rigidrod. Proximal movement of the cap and the cannulated shaft along therigid rod causes the distal tip to rotate from a first configuration toa second configuration.

According to yet another aspect, the drill assembly includes a housinghaving a cap, a body, and an elongated core movable within the body. Theelongated core has a cannulated shaft connected thereto and extendingtherefrom. The cannulated shaft connects to and extends through the cap.The drill assembly also includes a rigid rod extending through thecannulated shaft and the cap. The rigid rod is connected to a proximalend of the body. The cannulated shaft and the cap are slidable along therigid rod. The drill assembly additionally includes a distal tipconnected to the cannulated shaft and the rigid rod. Proximal movementof the cap and the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod causes thedistal tip to rotate from a first configuration to a secondconfiguration. In the second configuration, the distal tip extends at anangle relative to the cannulated shaft.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from andelucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointedout and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusionof the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention are apparent from the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematic representation of a drillassembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view schematic representation of the drill assembly ina first configuration, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematic representation of the drillassembly in a first configuration, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side view schematic representation of the drill assembly ina second configuration, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematic representation of the drillassembly in a second configuration, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6A is an exploded view schematic representation of the drillassembly in the first configuration, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional side view schematic representationof the housing of the drill assembly in the second configuration,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view schematic representation of thedistal end of the drill assembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a close-up side view schematic representation of the drilltip, according to the alternative embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematic representation of the drilltip in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematic representation of a drillassembly, according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a side view schematic representation of the drill assembly ina first configuration, according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematic representation of the drillassembly in a first configuration, according to an alternativeembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a side view schematic representation of the drill assembly ina second configuration, according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematic representation of the drillassembly in a second configuration, according to an alternativeembodiment;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view schematic representation of the drillassembly in the first configuration, according to an alternativeembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view schematic representation of the core,according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view schematic representation of thecore and the body of the housing, according to an alternativeembodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view schematic representation of thehousing in the first configuration, according to an alternativeembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view schematic representation of thehousing in the second configuration, according to an alternativeembodiment;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view schematic representation of thedistal end of the drill assembly;

FIG. 21 is a close-up side view schematic representation of the drilltip; and

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view schematic representation of the drilltip in FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention and certain features, advantages, anddetails thereof, are explained more fully below with reference to thenon-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as not tounnecessarily obscure the invention in detail. It should be understood,however, that the detailed description and the specific non-limitingexamples, while indicating aspects of the invention, are given by way ofillustration only, and are not by way of limitation. Varioussubstitutions, modifications, additions, and/or arrangements, within thespirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concepts will beapparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals refer tolike parts throughout, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view schematicrepresentation of a drill assembly 100, according to an embodiment. Thedrill assembly 100 in FIG. 1 is a retro-drill assembly for generatingretrograde bone tunnels. Clockwise rotation of the drill assembly 100performs forward drilling and counterbore reaming. The drill assembly100 comprises a proximal end 102 for connection to a surgical drill anda distal end 104 for engaging a bone. The distal end 104 comprises adrill tip 106 for drilling into the bone. The drill tip 106 is connectedto an elongated cannulated shaft 108, which extends in the proximaldirection.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the cannulated shaft 108 extends and connectsto a housing 110. In the depicted embodiment, the housing 110 iscylindrical to provide an improved ergonomic grip for the surgeon;however, the housing 110 may be any suitable geometric configuration.The housing 110 includes an actuation mechanism 112 and a releasemechanism 114 for moving the drill tip 106 between differentconfigurations, as described in detail below. As also shown in FIG. 1,the proximal end 102 of the drill assembly 100 comprises a shank 116,which extends proximally from the housing 110. The drill assembly 100 isattached to a surgical drill (not shown) by tightening the jaws of thesurgical drill around the shank 116. For example, a Jacobs chuckattachment can be used. Additionally, the shank 116 may comprisefeatures that allow it to be attached to the surgical drill using a“quick-connect” attachment, such as a Trinkle, AO, Hudson, Zimmer, orHarris. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 uses a Trinkle adapter.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown side and perspective viewsschematic representations of the drill assembly 100 in a firstconfiguration, according to an embodiment. In the first configuration,the entire drill assembly 100 extends substantially along a centrallongitudinal y-y axis, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In an embodiment, thefirst configuration is a 0 degree position such that the drill tip 106does not extend at an angle relative to the cannulated shaft 108 (ordrill assembly 100). In the first configuration, an indicator 118 isvisible at the housing 110. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, theindicator 118 is a portion or region of the housing 110 extendingbetween a distal cap 120 of the housing 110 and a proximal body 122 ofthe housing 110.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the cap 120 is movable along the centrallongitudinal y-y axis. When the cap 120 is in the first configuration(i.e., its most distal position), the indicator 118 is exposed. Theindicator 118 serves as notice to the surgeon that the drill tip 106 isin the first configuration (i.e., 0 angle position) as the orientationof the drill tip 106 may not be clearly visible at the surgical site. Inthe first configuration, the drill assembly 100 can be used to drill aconventional hole or bone tunnel.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are shown side and perspective viewsschematic representations of the drill assembly 100 in a secondconfiguration, according to an embodiment. From the first configuration(FIGS. 2-3), the drill tip 106 is actuated to move the drill assembly100 to the second configuration. To move the drill assembly 100 to thesecond configuration, the cap 120, serving as the actuation mechanism112, is pulled in the proximal direction until a locking mechanism (notshown) is engaged. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism is aninternal catch (described below) within the housing 110 that, whenengaged, retains the cap 120 at or connected to the body 122 of thehousing 110, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, in the second configuration, theindicator 118 is not visible. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,the indicator 118 is covered or hidden within the housing 110. In anembodiment, engaging the internal catch causing an audible snappingsound that also serves as an indication of the configuration of thedrill assembly 100.

In the second configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, the drill tip 106extends at an angle relative to the cannulated shaft 108 (or drillassembly 100) and the central longitudinal y-y axis. In an embodiment,the second configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is a 90 degreeposition such that the drill tip 106 extends along a lateral x-x axis,which is 90 degrees or substantially perpendicular relative to thecannulated shaft 108 (or drill assembly 100) and the centrallongitudinal y-y axis. In the second configuration, the drill assembly100 can be used for counterbore drilling. A counterbored bone tunnelremoves less bone material from the patient. The benefits of acounterbore bone tunnel over a straight bore hole include less pain,faster recovery, and increased bone preservation.

To move the drill assembly 100 from the second configuration back to thefirst configuration, the locking mechanism of the housing 110 isreleased by engaging the release mechanism 114. To release the lockingmechanism of the housing 110, release tabs 124 (of the release mechanism114) on the housing 110 are engaged. As shown in FIG. 4, the body 122 ofthe housing 110 comprises a pair of release tabs 124 on opposing sides.When the release tabs 124 are pressed toward the body 122 of the housing110, the cap 120 is released and moves in the distal direction away fromthe body 122 to the first configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, there is shown an exploded view schematicrepresentation of the drill assembly 100 in the first configuration,according to an embodiment. FIG. 6A provides a detailed view of theinternal catch and components of the housing 110. In the depictedembodiment, the housing 110 comprises a core 126. The core 126 is acylindrical piece with a pair of tangs 184 (only one is shown) extendingalong at least a portion of its length. (The tangs 184 and theirfunction as the locking mechanism are discussed in detail below withregard to the embodiment of the drill assembly 100 shown in FIGS.10-22). The core 126 is securely attached to the cannulated shaft 108and a rigid rod 156 extends through the core 126 and the cannulatedshaft 108. The core 126 is sized and configured to move within the body122 of the housing 110. The core 126 is also rigidly attached to the cap120 so that when the cap 120 moves along the central longitudinal y-yaxis, the core 126 moves as well. A spring 130 is positioned proximallyrelative to the core 126 in the body 122 of the housing 110. In thefirst configuration, the spring 130 is extended and in the secondconfiguration, the spring 130 is compressed.

Still referring to FIG. 6A, the housing 110 also comprises a release 132between the body 122 of the housing 110 and the cap 120. The release 132is a ring 134 with the opposing release tabs 124 extending proximallytherefrom. The ring 134 is sized and configured to fit around the core126 and the release tabs 124 are sized and configured to slide over thecore 126. The ring 134 of the release 132 is also sized and configuredto fit around a distal end 136 of the body 122 of the housing 110 up toand abutting a distal edge 138 of the body 122. The release 132 holdsthe housing 110 together (if it is more than one piece) and releases thelocking mechanism (as discussed in detail below) by transmitting forceto the core 126.

The drill assembly 100 in FIG. 6A also comprises a proximal catch 140.The proximal catch 140 is a ring 142 with one or more catching tabs 144extending distally therefrom. In the depicted embodiment, the proximalcatch 140 has two catching tabs 144. The catching tabs 144 areconfigured to lock into the body 122 of the housing 110. Specifically,the ring 142 of the proximal catch 140 is sized and configured to fitaround a proximal end 146 of the body 122 of the housing 110 up to andabutting a proximal edge 148 of the body 122, while the catching tabs144 snap into a recess 150 in the body 122. In an embodiment, thehousing 110 also includes one or more shims 152 or any other tapered orwedged piece of material for filling in gaps between components of thehousing 110. In the depicted embodiment, a pair of shims 152 are betweena proximal end 154 of the body 122 and the proximal catch 140. Inanother embodiment, shown in FIG. 6B, the shims 152 are located betweenthe core 126 and the shank 116. Specifically, the shims 152 in FIG. 6Bfill the space between the core 126 and the shank 116. The shims 152increase the stability of the drill assembly 100; however, they are notrequired. Similarly, a retaining ring 182 may be used to secure theproximal catch 140 to the rigid rod 156.

Turning now to FIG. 7, there is shown an exploded perspective viewschematic representation of the distal end 104 of the drill assembly100, according to an embodiment. The distal end 104 comprises the drilltip 106 connected to the cannulated shaft 108 and the rigid rod 156. Therigid rod 156 is positioned within the cannulated shaft 108 to keep theparticulate and other biological material out of the cannulated shaft108. The drill tip 106 has a flat outer diameter 157 and a flatconnecting portion 158 with a first aperture 160 spaced from a secondaperture 162. In the depicted embodiment, the flat outer diameter 157 islarger than an outer diameter of the cannulated shaft 108, which reducesfriction on the cannulated shaft 108. In another embodiment, the flatouter diameter 157 matches an outer diameter of the cannulated shaft108. In yet another embodiment, the outer diameter of the cannulatedshaft 108 comprises sections with a reduced outer diameter to allow forbone chips to clear the area of the cannulated shaft 108 (similar to adrill bit). However, it may be difficult to achieve sections of areduced outer diameter in the cannulated shaft 108 as a thin-walledcannulated shaft 108 has various geometric constraints. As additionallyshown in FIG. 7, a distal end 164 of the rigid rod 156 and a distal end166 of the cannulated shaft 108 both comprise slots 168A, 168B forreceiving the flat connecting portion 158 of the drill tip 106. With theflat connecting portion 158 of the drill tip 106 within the slots 168A,168B of the rigid rod 156 and cannulated shaft 108, connectors are usedto rotatably secure the drill tip 106 therein.

Still referring to FIG. 7, a cannulated shaft aperture 173 extendsthrough the distal end 166 of the cannulated shaft 108 and a rodaperture 171 extends through the distal end 164 of the rigid rod 156. Aslot pin 170 extends through the rod aperture 171 and through the firstaperture 160 in the drill tip 106. The slot pin 170 is firmly attachedto the rigid rod 156. A pivot pin 172 extends through the cannulatedshaft aperture 173 and through the second aperture 162 in the drill tip106. The pivot pin 172 is firmly attached to the cannulated shaftaperture 173. When the cannulated shaft 108 moves proximally, thecannulated shaft 108 pulls the drill tip 106 against the rigid rod 156,causing the drill tip 106 to rotate about the pivot pin 172.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a close-up side view schematicrepresentation of the drill tip 106, according to the alternativeembodiment. The assembled distal end 104 (and drill tip 106) of thedrill assembly 100 is shown. The drill tip 106 determines both thediameter of the primary (or conventional) hole and the diameter of thecounterbore. The diameter of the primary hole is dictated by thediameter of the drill tip 106. The diameter of the drill tip 106 can bea variety of sizes depending on the requirements of the surgicalprocedure. Preferably, the diameter of the drill tip 106 is 3.5 mm. Thediameter of the counterbore is determined by the distance of the pivotpin 172 and a length A of the drill tip 106. The length A isapproximately half the diameter of the counterbore. FIG. 9 shows across-sectional view schematic representation of the drill tip 106 inFIG. 8. The cross-section shown in FIG. 9 is taken at line B-B of thedrill tip 106 in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows the rigid rod 156 within thecannulated shaft 108. The cannulated shaft 108 is movable, while therigid rod remains stationary.

Turning now to FIGS. 10-21, there are shown various views schematicrepresentations of a drill assembly 100, according to an alternativeembodiment. The drill assembly 100 in FIGS. 10-21 is very similar to thedrill assembly 100 in FIGS. 1-9 with a few key differences. FIG. 10shows a perspective view schematic representation of the drill assembly100. The drill assembly 100 comprises start indicator 174 around thecannulated shaft 108 for signaling when retrograde drilling begins. Inthe depicted embodiment, the start indicator 174 is a ring (e.g., an“O-ring”) extending around the cannulated shaft 108. The ring 174 isconfigured to move anywhere along the length of the cannulated shaft108. The ring 174 is pushed against a sleeve (not shown) and the sleevehas the cannulated shaft 108 extending therethrough. As retrogradedrilling is performed, the ring 174 moves away from the sleeve andindicates the socket depth. The cannulated shaft 108 comprises aplurality of depth indicators 176 or markings along its length. In thedepicted embodiment, the depth indicators 176 are laser marks andmovement of the ring 174 along the laser marks 176 indicates a socketdepth. In an alternative embodiment, the depth indicators 176 aregrooves sized and configured to receive the start indicator 174. Thegrooves 176 are just deep enough to maintain the start indicator 174therein but shallow enough that the start indicator 174 can be movedamong the depth indicators 176.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, there are shown perspective and side viewschematic representations of the drill assembly 100 in the first andsecond configurations, according to an embodiment. In FIGS. 11-12, thedrill assembly 100 is in the first configuration. As described above, inthe first configuration, the drill tip 106 is in a 0 degree position,extending along the central longitudinal y-y axis of the drill assembly100, as shown in FIG. 12. When the drill assembly 100 is in the firstconfiguration, the cap 120 of the housing 110 is spaced from the distalend 178 of the body 122 of the housing 110 such that the indicator 118between the cap 120 and the housing 110 is visible (FIG. 11).

As also described above, from the first configuration, the cap 120 ispulled proximally toward the body 122 of the housing 110. When the cap120 abuts or connects to the body 122 of the housing 110, the drillassembly 100 is in the second configuration, as shown in FIG. 13. Thedrill assembly 100 may also include a distal band 119 adjacent the drilltip 106. The band 119 can be laser cut into the cannulated shaft 108.The band 119 indicates the position of the drill tip 106 in the surgicalsite or space. Specifically, the band 119 indicates that the drill tip106 has cleared the drilled channel and the rotating mechanism can beengaged to rotate the drill tip 106. In the second configuration, theindicator 118 is no longer visible and the drill tip 106 has rotatedrelative to the cannulated shaft 108 (or the drill assembly 100) and thecentral longitudinal y-y axis. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, thedrill tip 106 extends along a lateral x-x axis, which is 90 degrees (orsubstantially perpendicular) relative to the central longitudinal y-yaxis and the cannulated shaft 108 (or the drill assembly 100).

Turning now to FIG. 15, there is shown an exploded view schematicrepresentation of the drill assembly 100, according to the alternativeembodiment. In the depicted embodiment, the body 122 of the housing 110comprises two pieces, a first portion 122A and a second portion 122Bthat snap or otherwise connect together. However, any number of piecescan be used for the housing 110. The internal catch and other componentsof the housing 110 are similar to those of the drill assembly 100 inFIGS. 1-9 with a few differences.

The housing 110 in FIG. 15 similarly includes a release 132 comprising aring 134 with one or more release tabs 124 extending proximallytherefrom. The housing 110 in FIG. 15 also similarly includes a core 126having one or more tangs 184 extending along at least a portion of itslength. The release 132 is configured to slide over the core 126 suchthat the release tabs 124 are positioned over the tangs 184. As shown inFIG. 15 and as described with the embodiment in FIGS. 1-9, the core 126is securely attached to the cap 120 and the cannulated shaft 108. Thehousing 110 includes a proximal ring 180 (as opposed to a proximal catch140 (FIGS. 1-9)) connected to a proximal end 154 of the body 122 of thehousing 110. The proximal ring 180 holds the portions 122A, 122B of thehousing 110 together. The proximal ring 180 also provides an opposingsurface to a flange of the cap 120 for actuating the rotating mechanism.As shown in FIG. 15, the spring 130 extends around the rigid rod 156between the proximal ring 180 and the core 126. The retaining ring 182is similarly used to hold the proximal ring 180 around the rigid rod156.

Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown a perspective view schematicrepresentation of the core 126, according to the alternative embodiment.In FIG. 16, as stated above, the core comprises one or more tangs 184for locking the core 126 into the body 122 of the housing 110. Lockingthe core 126 in the body 122 maintains the drill assembly 100 in thesecond configuration. The tang 184 is elongated and flexible with anoutward protrusion 186 near or at a proximal end 188 of the core 126.

Turning now to FIG. 17, there is a shown a cross-sectional side viewschematic representation of the core 126 and the body 122 of the housing110, according to the alternative embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, theprotrusions 186 of the tangs 184 extend outward from the centrallongitudinal y-y axis of the drill assembly 100. The body 122 of thehousing 110 includes one or more catches 190 for engaging the tangs 184.Each catch 190 is used to keep the drill assembly 100 in the secondconfiguration.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, there are shown cross-sectional sideviews schematic representations of the housing 110 in the first andsecond configurations, respectively. In the first configuration, thecatches 190 do not engage the protrusion 186 of the tangs 184, as shownin FIG. 18. In particular, the protrusions 186 are distal relative tothe catches 190. When the drill assembly 100 is moved to the secondconfiguration, the core 126 is pushed proximally into the body 122,forcing the tangs 184 and the protrusions 186 on the tangs 184 past thecatches 190. The flexible nature of the tangs 184 allows the tangs 184to flex until they past the catches 190. Once past the catches 190, thetangs 184 are no longer flexed and the protrusions 186 engage thecatches 190, as shown in FIG. 19. Specifically, the catches 190 extendat least partially around the protrusions 186, holding it in place untilreleased by pressing the release tabs 124. Pressing the release tabs 124flexes the tangs 184 away from the catches 190 and the spring 130 (FIG.15) forces the core 126 distally at least partially out from the body122 of the housing 110 back to the first configuration.

Turning now to FIGS. 20-22, there are shown various views schematicrepresentations of the distal end 104 of the drill assembly 100,according to the alternative embodiment. FIGS. 20 and 21 show theparticular attachment of the drill tip 106 to the cannulated shaft 108and the rigid rod 156, which is the same as described above withreference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Additionally, the slidable positioning ofthe rigid rod 156 within the cannulated shaft 108, as shown in FIG. 22,is the same as described above with reference to FIG. 9.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

While various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein,those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety ofother means and/or structures for performing the function and/orobtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages describedherein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to bewithin the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally,those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters,dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant tobe exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application orapplications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in theart will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routineexperimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments describedherein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoingembodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within thescope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described and claimed.Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” (andany form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (andany form of have, such as, “has” and “having”), “include” (and any formof include, such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (any formof contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linkingverbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises”, “has”,“includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a stepof method or an element of a device that “comprises”, “has”, “includes”or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features,but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features.Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain wayis configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in waysthat are not listed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, areintended to include any structure, material or act for performing thefunction in combination with other claimed elements as specificallyclaimed. The description of the present invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of one or more aspects of the invention and the practicalapplication, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand one or more aspects of the present invention for variousembodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particularuse contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drill assembly, comprising: a housing having an actuation mechanism; a cannulated shaft connected to the actuation mechanism of the housing; a rigid rod extending through the cannulated shaft; wherein engaging the actuation mechanism moves the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod; a distal tip connected to the cannulated shaft and the rigid rod; and wherein proximal movement of the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod causes the distal tip to rotate.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein a central longitudinal axis extends through the housing.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein in a first configuration, the distal tip extends along the central longitudinal axis.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein in a second configuration, the distal tip extends at an angle relative to the central longitudinal axis.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the angle is 90 degrees.
 6. The device of claim 4, further comprising a locking mechanism within the housing configured to restrict distal movement of the cannulated shaft.
 7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a release mechanism on the housing configured to cause distal movement of the cannulated shaft.
 8. A drill assembly, comprising: a housing having a cap and a body; a cannulated shaft connected to the cap of the housing; a rigid rod extending through the cannulated shaft and the cap and connected to the body of the housing such that the cannulated shaft is slidable along the rigid rod; wherein proximal movement of the cap causes proximal movement of the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod; a distal tip connected to the cannulated shaft and the rigid rod; and wherein the proximal movement of the cap and the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod causes the distal tip to rotate from a first configuration to a second configuration.
 9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a core within the body of the housing, the core connected to the cannulated shaft.
 10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a spring between the core and a proximal end of the housing.
 11. The device of claim 9, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the core within the body of the housing.
 12. The device of claim 11, further comprising one or more release tabs on the housing configured to engage the locking mechanism and release the core.
 13. The device of claim 8, further comprising an indicator connecting the cap to the body of the housing.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein in the first configuration, the indicator extends out from the body of the housing between the cap and the body of the housing.
 15. A drill assembly, comprising: a housing having a cap and a body; an elongated core movable within the body of the housing, the elongated core having a cannulated shaft connected thereto and extending therefrom; wherein the cannulated shaft connects to and extends through the cap; a rigid rod extending through the cannulated shaft and the cap and connected to a proximal end of the body wherein the cannulated shaft and the cap are slidable along the rigid rod; a distal tip connected to the cannulated shaft and the rigid rod; wherein the proximal movement of the cap and the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod causes the distal tip to rotate from a first configuration to a second configuration; and wherein in the second configuration, the distal tip extends at an angle relative to the cannulated shaft.
 16. The drill assembly of claim 15, further comprising one or more tangs extending along the elongated core.
 17. The drill assembly of claim 16, further comprising one or more catches extending from the body of the housing.
 18. The drill assembly of claim 17, wherein each of the one or more catches is configured to engage one of the one or more tangs.
 19. The drill assembly of claim 17, further comprising a spring extending around the rigid rod between the elongated core and the proximal end of the body.
 20. The drill assembly of claim 19, wherein the one or more tangs are biased distally away from the one or more catches by the spring. 